Iron Mountain Daily News photo Barb Peters, center administrator, stocks items in the food pantry in the downstairs level of the Frank Rodman Community Club on First Street in Hermansville. The 1926-built facility, shown below, has hosted the annual Gold Medal Basketball Tournaments since 1936, provides hall space for celebrations and in the lower level has senior center services, a library, a township office and a food pantry.

HERMANSVILLE — It’s only fitting the hub for Hermanville activities be renamed after the community’s longtime activist, Frank Rodman.

In April, a special dedication ceremony took place to honor “Mr. Hermansville,” who passed away in June 2021 at the age of 94.

“He was very dedicated in everything he did for Hermansville,” said Barb Peters, center administrator.

The now Frank Rodman Community Club on First Street in Hermansville services many needs of Meyer Township residents.

The facility, built in 1926, is well-known for hosting the annual Gold Medal Basketball Tournaments since 1936 and serving as a reception hall for celebrations.

But the Community Club provides much more than those venues. Below the full-size gymnasium, the lower level is home to senior center services, a library, a township office as well as a food pantry.

The Hermansville Senior Center, open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday, is currently run through the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency in Escanaba.

They offer meals five days a week, as well as Meals-On-Wheels program for those who are homebound.

“We serve about 38 to 45 daily meals,” said Peters, adding that dinners no longer are served out of the kitchen but come directly from the Escanaba.

Peters believes the Senior Center opened in the downstairs in the late 1970s or early ’80s.

Donation for meals are $3 for ages 60 and older, and $7 for those younger than 60.

To reserve a meal or for information, call 906-498-7735.

The senior center also offers transportation services, including trips throughout Hermansville to Powers, Carney, Escanaba or Iron Mountain. Transportation is available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

They plan a shopping trip to Menominee once a month as well. Anyone interested in the special trips are asked to call ahead for dates and times.

The center recently welcomed back card games on Tuesdays. Peters noted arrangements can be made for those interested in playing on another day.

“As of right now we have not been cleared to open up for bingo yet,” she added.

The monthly foot clinic will come back June 21 and continue on the third Tuesday of each month, Peters said.

The Community Club is a supply base for homemaker and personal care aids that service local clients, too. “All these services are coordinated through the Escanaba office,” she noted.

The food pantry is available to anyone in need, with no income requirements, Peters said. Along with many non-perishable food items they have personal hygiene items as well.

They accept donations of items or money at any time.

The American Legion Post 340 and Auxiliary, as well as other organizations, are strong pantry supporters.

“We get some very nice donations, especially at Christmas time,” Peters said.

Participants are allowed two bags at a time but are asked to take a maximum of two of the same item.

“We really enjoy having the pantry here,” she said.

Anyone wishing to donated to the pantry can contact Peters at the center.

Commodities will be available June 10 and June 24. Peters also is taking names for the Project Fresh program, which will be available soon.

The facility can offer tax preparation for homestead credit and home heating assistance for seniors, Peters said.

“We try to offer many different things to our seniors,” she said.

The Menominee County Library-Hermansville branch is open from 9:30 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays.

They offer a storytime session each week and will feature a summer reading program for six weeks at the Sportsmans Club.

The branch also has a Book Club that meets once a month. Anyone interested in a library program can contact library Attendant Ann Murray at 906-498-2253.

“I recently received a grant to start a ‘Book Trail,’ which is located along the side of the building,” Murray added.

The library offers a large selection of books for children and adults, as well as magazines, audio and video. They also feature several local and Upper Peninsula authors.

“A lot of seniors love to come down for the puzzles, which became really big with the pandemic,” Murray said.

In addition, the library has a computer with printing capabilities for public use.

To help fund the programs, they take donations and have a sale at the main library once a year.

The Frank Rodman Community Club houses township offices and meeting rooms that display old trophies as well as photos from the old Hermanville School that was torn down.

They have walkers who use the gym from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. daily. “The gym is also available during regular business hours, to anyone wanted to exercise at a different time,” Peters said.

The building has seen many uses in its time, including a small bowling alley in the basement. “A hotel was first built on the site,” she said. “But the day they were suppose to open it burned down.”

The lot sat vacant for a few years until the township decided to build a community center, Peters said. “The basketball court is original to the building,” she said.

The Community Club is available for rent for various types of events.

“Both upstairs and downstairs are available, which provides use to dining, kitchen facility and a concession area,” she said. “It’s here for our community.”